To download the full report click here.

The latest Knight Foundation-Ipsos Future of the First Amendment study, which builds on more than two decades of research examining high school students’ attitudes toward free speech, finds that students continue to place a high value on freedom of expression. Nearly all students believe that protecting free speech is important to democracy, and most believe students should be able to express their opinions in school without fear of punishment from teachers or administrators.

The 2026 survey also provides a detailed look at students’ views on freedom of expression and the climate for speech in the country, their schools and their daily lives. These findings reflect a long-standing pattern in the Knight Foundation-Ipsos research. Since the study began in 2004, high school students have consistently expressed strong support for freedom of speech and its role in a democratic society. Equally important, they also believe in the right to freedom of expression in their schools.

Yet this new research finds hesitancy among students about the extent to which they are able to exercise their right to free speech. Reflecting this hesitancy, a majority of students say that holding back opinions often or sometimes makes it harder for students at their school to have valuable discussions during class. Students are more likely to self-censor because of potential reactions from peers, such as conflict, hurt feelings or social exclusion, than because they worry about getting in trouble with authority figures.

The survey comes as artificial intelligence (AI) is already beginning to reshape American education, the climate for speech in this country and the volume of information that is accessible. High school students hold conflicting views on AI. Although most students support allowing AI chatbots to discuss any topic, including offensive ones, they also believe AI should impose limits on dangerous content.

The 2026 Future of the First Amendment study marks the ninth time since 2004 that Knight Foundation has commissioned a national survey of high school students to explore their attitudes about the First Amendment. The 2026 study was conducted in May among 1,167 current high school students. It repeats several of the core measures to track trends in student opinions over time. The study also asked select questions from other surveys in the Knight Free Expression Research Series conducted by Ipsos of young adults ages 18 to 29, including college students.

Key Findings

High school students express strong support for freedom of speech.

An overwhelming majority (91%) say that protecting free speech is an important part of American democracy, including 65% who strongly agree with that sentiment. Nearly twice as many students believe the First Amendment doesn’t go far enough in the rights it guarantees (57%) than say it goes too far (28%).

Students largely oppose government censorship of dissenting views.

A sizable majority (67%) agree that people should be permitted to say what they want on social media, without government restrictions. About as many believe the government should not have the power to regulate speech on social media if that results in limiting some speech.

Most students believe the First Amendment protects people like them.

Seven in 10 say the First Amendment provides a great deal or fair amount of protection for people like them, which is similar to the last survey, in 2022. As was the case then, white students are more likely than Black or Hispanic students to feel personally protected by the First Amendment.

However, students feel the climate in high schools is not conducive to free expression.

Most say their classmates, at least sometimes, hold back their opinions, which limits valuable conversations. Seven in 10 say they hold back their own opinions from teachers, while six in 10 say the same about other students. Avoiding conflict is the top reason students refrain from offering their views, but one in three fear negative consequences, such as detention or lower grades.